Powder coating paint is interesting. It's a polyester blend that goes to a semi-liquid phase at 350F approximatly then solidifies into a hard substance (the rigidity is comparable to resin polyester).
Since it is intended to be used in thin coats, i've tested it to tell if it was possible to cast larger parts. Yes it is, as you can see on these not so impressive pictures:
[
www.flickr.com]
[
www.flickr.com]
I don't see pratical uses for it in the reprap project in a near future. However, in a Zcorp printer, there's a possibility that it could be used instead of the plaster powder in the printing process.Then it could be sintered in a oven to give it it's mechanical properties.
Post Scriptum:
If you could turn a DVD burner diode as a standalone laser as here:
[
www.felesmagus.com]
Then, you would have a print head as a reprap option!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2007 07:14PM by bf5man.